Configurable pivoting cage cargo retainer

Abstract

A pivoting cage cargo is formed of opposing gate assemblies mounted on the rearwardmost D-pillar of a pick-up truck and movable from a folded, collapsed storage position against the respective side walls of the cargo box into multiple selectable operative configurations. The pivoting cage cargo retainer can be positioned in two different transversely extending positions that span the cargo bed when the gate assemblies are connected together. In one transverse position, the coupled gate assemblies cooperate with a lowered tailgate to provide a bed extension function. The other transverse position spans across the cargo bed to provide a divider function. Each gate assembly is also positionable into a storage container configuration that defines a small cargo retention area adjacent the side wall for the retention of small objects, such as grocery bags. A latching mechanism retains the gate assembly next to the side wall.

1. In a pick-up truck having a frame including a pair of opposing upright D-pillars, a cargo bed defined by opposing lateral upright side walls and a floor extending transversely between the side walls, and a tailgate pivotally supported between said side walls for movement between an upright closed position and a lowered open position, the improvement comprising:
 a pivoting cage apparatus pivotally connected to one of said D-pillars and being positionable in a storage position against said side wall adjacent said one D-pillar, said cage structure being pivotally movable into a container storage position in which said pivoting cage apparatus extends inwardly from said one D-pillar toward the opposing D-pillar, then rearwardly and outwardly to said adjacent side wall to define an enclosed storage area bounded by said pivoting cage apparatus and said adjacent side wall. 
 
   
   
     2. The pick-up truck of  claim 1  wherein a latching mechanism is associated with said adjacent side wall to engage said pivoting cage apparatus to selectively restrain said pivoting cage apparatus against said adjacent side wall. 
   
   
     3. The pick-up truck of  claim 2  wherein said pivoting cage apparatus includes a first gate assembly having three pivotally connected individual panels, an outer panel pivotally connected to said one D-pillar including a middle panel pivotally connected to said outer panel, and an inner panel pivotally connected to said middle panel, said outer panel being engaged with said latching mechanism. 
   
   
     4. The pick-up truck of  claim 3  wherein said pivoting cage apparatus includes a second gate assembly associated with said opposing D-pillar, said second gate assembly also having three pivotally connected individual panels including an outer panel pivotally connected to said opposing D-pillar, a middle panel pivotally connected to said outer panel, and an inner panel pivotally connected to said middle panel. 
   
   
     5. The pick-up truck of  claim 4  wherein said first and second gate assemblies are operable to be deployed in a first deployed position extending transversely across said cargo bed, said gate assemblies further being oriented into a second deployed position extending transversely across said tailgate lowered into said open position. 
   
   
     6. The pick-up truck of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a supplemental tailgate assembly supported in said tailgate and including a support extendable from said tailgate and a cross member connected to said support and extending generally normal thereto, said supplemental tailgate assembly being pivotable relative to said tailgate into a vertically oriented position when said tailgate is in said open position to provide support for said pivoting cage apparatus when placed into said second deployed position. 
 
   
   
     7. The pick-up truck of  claim 5  wherein said gate assemblies are pivotally connected to the corresponding said D-pillar through a mounting bracket affixed to the respective said D-pillar and pivotally connected to the corresponding said outer panel. 
   
   
     8. A pivoting cage cargo retainer for use in a vehicle having a cargo bed defined by opposing longitudinally extending side walls, first and second upright D-pillar frame members adjacent respective said side walls, and a tailgate pivotally mounted to said cargo bed between said D-pillars for movement between a raised closed position and a lowered open position, comprising:
 a first gate assembly including an outer panel pivotally mounted on said first D-pillar for pivotal movement relative to said first D-pillar; a middle panel connected to said outer panel for pivotal movement relative thereto; and an inner panel connected to said middle panel for pivotal movement relative thereto, said first gate assembly being positionable into a storage configuration wherein said outer panel extends inwardly from said first D-pillar toward said second D-pillar, said middle panel extending rearwardly from said outer panel, and said inner panel extending outwardly to said adjacent side wall to define an enclosed storage area bounded by said first gate assembly and said adjacent side wall. 
 
   
   
     9. The pivoting cage cargo retainer of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a second gate assembly associated with said second D-pillar, said second gate assembly also having three pivotally connected individual panels including an outer panel pivotally connected to said second D-pillar, a middle panel pivotally connected to said outer panel, and an inner panel pivotally connected to said middle panel, said second gate assembly also being positionable in said storage configuration defining an enclosed storage area bounded by said second gate assembly and said adjacent side wall. 
 
   
   
     10. The pivoting cage cargo retainer of  claim 9  wherein said first and second gate assemblies are operable to be deployed in a first deployed position extending transversely across said cargo bed, said gate assemblies further being oriented into a second deployed position extending transversely across said tailgate lowered into said open position. 
   
   
     11. The pivoting cage cargo retainer of  claim 10  wherein said first and second gate assemblies are each pivotally connected to the corresponding said D-pillar through a mounting bracket affixed to the respective said D-pillar and pivotally connected to the corresponding said outer panel. 
   
   
     12. The pivoting cage cargo retainer of  claim 11  wherein a latching mechanism is engagable with said inner panel to restrain selectively the position thereof adjacent said corresponding side wall and selectively fix the corresponding said gate assembly in the storage configuration. 
   
   
     13. The pivoting cage cargo retainer of  claim 12  wherein said latching mechanism includes a latch member connected to each said side wall to engage the respective inner panel when placed adjacent thereto. 
   
   
     14. The pivoting cage cargo retainer of  claim 13  further comprising:
 a supplemental tailgate assembly supported in said tailgate and including a telescoping support extendable from said tailgate and a cross member connected to said telescoping support and extending generally normal thereto, said supplemental tailgate assembly being pivotable relative to said tailgate into a vertically oriented position when said tailgate is in said open position to provide support for said first and second gate assemblies when placed into said second deployed position. 
 
   
   
     15. A cargo retainer for use on a pick-up truck having a cargo bed on which is pivotally mounted a tailgate movable between a raised closed position and a lowered open position, said cargo bed having a pair of opposing side walls separated by a horizontal floor extending therebetween, said cargo bed including a first and second opposing upright D-pillars located at a rear portion of said cargo bed, comprising:
 first and second gate assemblies formed from at least two upright panels hingedly connected together for movement between a storage position against at least one of said side walls and first and second deployed positions extending transversely between said D-pillars, said first deployed position extending transversely across said cargo bed, said second deployed position extending transversely across said tailgate lowered into said open position, each of said gate assemblies being further positionable into a side storage configuration enclosing a storage area bounded by the respective said gate assembly and the corresponding said side wall. 
 
   
   
     16. The cargo retainer of  claim 15  wherein each said gate assembly is formed with an outer panel pivotally mounted on said the corresponding said D-pillar for pivotal movement relative to said D-pillar; a middle panel connected to said outer panel for pivotal movement relative thereto; and an inner panel connected to said middle panel for pivotal movement relative thereto, said side storage configuration being defined by said outer panel extending inwardly from the corresponding said D-pillar toward the opposing said D-pillar, said middle panel extending rearwardly from said outer panel, and said inner panel extending outwardly to said adjacent side wall. 
   
   
     17. The cargo retainer of  claim 16  wherein said first and second gate assemblies are each pivotally connected to the corresponding said D-pillar through a mounting bracket affixed to the respective said D-pillar and pivotally connected to the corresponding said outer panel. 
   
   
     18. The cargo retainer of  claim 17  wherein a latching mechanism is engagable with said inner panel to restrain selectively the position thereof adjacent said corresponding side wall and selectively fix the corresponding said gate assembly in the storage configuration. 
   
   
     19. The cargo retainer of  claim 18  wherein said latching mechanism includes a latch member connected to each said side wall to engage the respective inner panel when placed adjacent thereto. 
   
   
     20. The cargo retainer of  claim 16  further comprising:
 a supplemental tailgate assembly supported in said tailgate and including a support extendable from said tailgate and a cross member connected to said support and extending generally normal thereto, said supplemental tailgate assembly being pivotable relative to said tailgate into a vertically oriented position when said tailgate is in said open position to provide support for said first and second gate assemblies when placed into said second deployed position.